Who is Going to Win this Weekend?

[BigJon@Work]

Hey Scott,

Who do you think is going to win Indy and Monaco this weekend?

[barfle]

It's never wise to count Penske cars out, unless they're bent. Helio and Sam are fast, and as long as they can keep their cars pointed the right way, they'll be serious contenders.

I'm rooting for Michael Andretti, though. The Andrettis need a break, and although I don't believe in fate, it sure seems fair that it's his turn. Sorry, but Danica doesn't have the speed this year. She's probably a better driver than last year, but the team hasn't been able to set up the car very well so far. But she always adds interest, she's still cute as a button, and certainly earned her place in the race.

In the Principality, Schumacher is always the man to beat. It's one of the things I'm glad I did to be able to say I actually attended that race in 1969, when Graham Hill won it. Couldn't see much racing, but it was fun, and I'll never forget the experience.

[BigJon@Work]

It's one of the things I'm glad I did to be able to say I actually attended that race in 1969, when Graham Hill won it. Couldn't see much racing, but it was fun, and I'll never forget the experience.

You are a fortunate man indeed.

[barfle]

I was in Europe at the time representing the United States Government, and since I was going to be there for a little over a year, I felt that if I missed my chance at the race, my entire military career would have been wasted.

Looks like the TV coverage of Monaco this year is on CBS, delayed so it conflicts with Indy. How stupid can CBS be?

[BigJon@Work]

If you've watched their race coverage . . . very!

[navneeth]

Schumacher's on pole...so if he stays on track, it's hard to overtake the one at the front. Personally, I'd want Raikkonen to win...yes, even McLaren has fans.

[barfle]

Well, I have to say Indy was one helluva race. It's interesting to see second and third generation drivers and how much skill they have. Marco seems to have surpassed his old man, and maybe even his granddad in that area. One can't help but notice that none of the Foyt kids are making much of a mark.

I taped Monaco, and haven't had a chance to see it yet (that blinkin' laundry room project - seems the wife wanted to move the clothes hanger bar, patch and repaint, and that's not done yet so I still can't quite declare it finished), but the little I did see there was quite a controversy over Schumacher's qualifying antics.

[BigJon@Work]

Schumacher's on pole

No he wasn't What a travesty.

F1 . . . giving itself black eyes since I don't know when.

[BigJon@Work]

Did you all watch the end of Indy? I was pacing back and forth after the last green flag flew. What a great story that would have been had son and father finished 1-2. Have we witnessed the birth of a new star? He handled himself like a veteran.

I like Sam Hornish too, so I wasn't sad that he won. Penske, on the other hand, is pissing me off more and more each year. I have it on good authority that his background dealings are prolonging the split between Champcar and IRL, to the detriment of all open wheel racing in the US.

[navneeth]

Schumacher's on pole

No he wasn't What a travesty.

F1 . . . giving itself black eyes since I don't know when.

Yes, but he finished 5th. I didn't watch the race, but followed it at the F1 site (in what can possibly be the dullest way to follow a race). Till the first pitstop, Kimi was giving Alonso a run for his money.

[barfle]

I think Marco may well be a force to be reckoned with. Excellent performance, and when you realize he's 19 years old, we just may have a multi-year champion here.

I figure any time you pass for the lead at Indy, you've made a statement that is worth taking notice of, and he did so cleanly and with authority.

Sam won by smarts and skill. Pit strategy is very important in the 500, so there's more to it than simply being fast (although that's necessary). The penalty didn't turn out to cost anything, and so many others like Kanaan, Wheldon, Patrick, and Dixon simply got outsmarted.

I know there's talk about unifying the open-wheel series, and I certainly hope it happens. Getting all the best drivers on the same track would benefit everyone except the also-rans.

[navneeth]

Get ready to listen to Carmen!

Qualifying for the Aussie Grand Prix is less than 8 hours away!

VRRRRROOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!

[ScottB]

My local cable company decided it was a good idea not to carry Speedvision, which happens to be the only station that I may be able to catch a race on.

[navneeth]

My local cable company decided it was a good idea not to carry Speedvision, which happens to be the only station that I may be able to catch a race on.

Why did they do that? Bad influence on teenage drivers?

It looked more or less like a race in Monaco...not too many, exciting, overtaking maneuvers. The on-board view from Alexander Wurz's car of Coulthard flying across was pretty amazing, though.

[ScottB]

HAHA...It would not surprise me if it was due to kids!!

[navneeth]

Not a good day if you're a McLaren fan.

McLaren have been excluded from the 2007 constructors’ championship and fined US$100 million following Thursday’s FIA World Motor Sport Council hearing in Paris. Drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have not been penalized and are free to continue their fight for the drivers' title.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/9/6767.html

This should be good for those following the race. Now, Alonso and Hamilton need not "sacrfice" their position in any way for the sake of team points. I guess they can fight it out as if they are on different teams.

[BigJon@Work]

Wow! That is jsut s#!%%y treatment of McLaren.
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/9/6769.html

[jamiebk]

Sounds like a couple of them got caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Too bad it makes the whole team look bad (and suffer). It's no different in the business world, and actually people can go to jail for stuff like that (depending on the nature of the information.)

[navneeth]

Jackie Stewart thinks that there's something fishy going on...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsp ... 988645.stm

[navneeth]

Sounds like a couple of them got caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Too bad it makes the whole team look bad (and suffer).

It's not completely bad, actually. Currently, McLaren drivers are 1 and 2, separated by 3 points. Their points are still intact. The closest contender is about 18 points away. Spa should be fun.